Google has created many different apps for educators to use with students or to use as productivity tools in the classroom. The great thing about the Google tools is that they are all accessible on the web and projects are stored on the web. You can share them with multiple people or keep them private. Best thing, if your computer crashes, everything is still stored on the web! The last few years has seen a huge shift from local storage on the computer, to more cloud-based or web-based storage.
Think about the benefits of storing documents, data, and information in a cloud instead of on your computer.
Before you can explore the Google tools, you must sign up for an account if you do not already have one. If you already have a gmail address, then you already have a Google Docs account.
Look in the top right corner where there is a sign in button
Click the sign in button and sign in if you have an account or a gmail address if you do not have an account, click the red sign up button in the top right corner
Fill out the information to get your account. It is usually easier to use your work address. When people want to collaborate with you on a project, they will usually invite you with the email address they know. Use a work address which is what most people will know.
Google has been dedicated education for quite some time now. They have an entire site dedicated to educators and tools specifically designed for them. To access these tools for educators, click the following link: http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/ Take a look at the Collaboration link for tools specifically designed for educators.
Google Docs
Google Docs is similar to the Microsoft Office Suite. It contains the following tools"
Spreadsheet (Excel in Microsoft)
Document (Word in Microsoft)
Presentation (PowerPoint in Microsoft)
Drawing
Forms
These tools allow multiple people to collaborate around a document, give input and create a product even though distance may be somewhat limiting. Once the document is done, users can download them to their computer and convert to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. Google Docs gives you a large variety of tools that you can use to open these files with once they have been created.
Forms is a specifically useful tool for teachers. It allows you to easily create and share out information with parents and gather the results without answering a bunch of email. This tool saves time and is great for students to conduct their own research polls.
Organizing your Drive
Your Google Drive is much like your computer "my documents".
View this tutorial on how to create folders in your Google Drive if you don't already know how to create them.
Sharing Documents and Folders
The greatest thing about Google Docs is the ability to share and collaborate over documents! Sharing is easy. Watch this short tutorial on how to share items in Drive
To help you prepare for the year, think about what documents you might want to create or upload to your google drive. If you need help sharing folders and files, you can view this tutorial.
Creating a Form
One of the most useful tools in Google Docs/Drive is the Form creation tool. The form creation tool can be used with students, parents, staff, community etc. It allows you to create an online form for people to fill out. You can use it for parent sign ups, student input on projects, lunch counts, etc. The possibilities are endless! Once you create a Google Form, a Google sheet is automatically created as well for you to review your results.
Google Earth is an amazing free tool that you can use in your classroom. Any time you are trying to get students to understand a place or thing (community for example) you can use Google Earth. Google Earth has a lot of features that many teachers do not know about.
There are several great tools for the classroom in Google Earth. Explore these tools to see how you might use Google in your classroom. For this class, you will create a basic Google Tour.
Historical Imagery--This allows you to view certain places back in time to see how they have changed over the years
Create Basic Tours-- Simple way to quickly create Google Tours for your students (or have students create them)
Measurement Tools--Use the ruler tool to measure various features on the earth
Street View-- Explore street view in Google for an up and close view of the places around the globe.
Gone (hopefully) are the days of using pull down maps in the classroom. Things are constantly changing in the global world around us. Google Earth and Google Maps are two tools that give students a good picture of how the world looks, much more accurately and beautifully than a pull down map. Best of all, students can explore sites around the world and interact with others while doing it.
Creating your Basic Google Tour
Once you have viewed the tutorials on creating a Google Earth tour, create your own. This can be for any lesson and should reflect your grade level. Once you are finished, follow the direction below to upload your Tour to the Edmodo under the appropriate post. Classmates should explore each others Tours.
Create your folder and placemarks in preparation for your tour.
One of the newest tools Google will be releasing soon is Google Classroom! Take a look at the new tools that is currently in beta testing.
Assignments
Google Earth Tour
Create a Google Earth tool to use in one of your lessons. This can be as simple or complex as you want, but it should tie to your standards
Create a form that you could use in your classroom. It can be operational or instructional.
Upload the link to our Edmodo Group under the Discussion " Google Form"
Each person in the class should click on and "take" at least 3 surveys from class members.
Google Form
Create a form that you could use in your classroom. This could be for parents or students. It can be Academic or it could be operational. How you use the form and what you create is totally up to you. Watch the tutorial above on how to create forms and access the content above
Upload the Google Form link to the appropriate post in Edmodo. You may simply cut and paste the link in a reply.
HINT: Make sure you click "View Live Form" before you copy your link, otherwise it will not work!! (DUE July 24th).
Virtual Guest
Exploring Google Apps in Education
Google has created many different apps for educators to use with students or to use as productivity tools in the classroom. The great thing about the Google tools is that they are all accessible on the web and projects are stored on the web. You can share them with multiple people or keep them private. Best thing, if your computer crashes, everything is still stored on the web! The last few years has seen a huge shift from local storage on the computer, to more cloud-based or web-based storage.
Think about the benefits of storing documents, data, and information in a cloud instead of on your computer.
Before you can explore the Google tools, you must sign up for an account if you do not already have one. If you already have a gmail address, then you already have a Google Docs account.
Google has been dedicated education for quite some time now. They have an entire site dedicated to educators and tools specifically designed for them. To access these tools for educators, click the following link: http://www.google.com/edu/teachers/ Take a look at the Collaboration link for tools specifically designed for educators.
Google Docs
Google Docs is similar to the Microsoft Office Suite. It contains the following tools"- Spreadsheet (Excel in Microsoft)
- Document (Word in Microsoft)
- Presentation (PowerPoint in Microsoft)
- Drawing
- Forms
These tools allow multiple people to collaborate around a document, give input and create a product even though distance may be somewhat limiting. Once the document is done, users can download them to their computer and convert to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. Google Docs gives you a large variety of tools that you can use to open these files with once they have been created.Forms is a specifically useful tool for teachers. It allows you to easily create and share out information with parents and gather the results without answering a bunch of email. This tool saves time and is great for students to conduct their own research polls.
Organizing your Drive
Your Google Drive is much like your computer "my documents".View this tutorial on how to create folders in your Google Drive if you don't already know how to create them.
Sharing Documents and Folders
The greatest thing about Google Docs is the ability to share and collaborate over documents! Sharing is easy. Watch this short tutorial on how to share items in DriveTo help you prepare for the year, think about what documents you might want to create or upload to your google drive. If you need help sharing folders and files, you can view this tutorial.
Creating a Form
One of the most useful tools in Google Docs/Drive is the Form creation tool. The form creation tool can be used with students, parents, staff, community etc. It allows you to create an online form for people to fill out. You can use it for parent sign ups, student input on projects, lunch counts, etc. The possibilities are endless! Once you create a Google Form, a Google sheet is automatically created as well for you to review your results.Creating Forms Tutorial
Google Earth and Google Maps
Google Earth is an amazing free tool that you can use in your classroom. Any time you are trying to get students to understand a place or thing (community for example) you can use Google Earth. Google Earth has a lot of features that many teachers do not know about.You can find multiple tutorials on Google Earth on the Google Earth Help Site
There are several great tools for the classroom in Google Earth. Explore these tools to see how you might use Google in your classroom. For this class, you will create a basic Google Tour.
Gone (hopefully) are the days of using pull down maps in the classroom. Things are constantly changing in the global world around us. Google Earth and Google Maps are two tools that give students a good picture of how the world looks, much more accurately and beautifully than a pull down map. Best of all, students can explore sites around the world and interact with others while doing it.
Creating your Basic Google Tour
Once you have viewed the tutorials on creating a Google Earth tour, create your own. This can be for any lesson and should reflect your grade level. Once you are finished, follow the direction below to upload your Tour to the Edmodo under the appropriate post. Classmates should explore each others Tours.You can also view my sample tour on Washington DC famous places.
Google Classroom
One of the newest tools Google will be releasing soon is Google Classroom! Take a look at the new tools that is currently in beta testing.Assignments
Google Earth Tour
Google Form
Create a form that you could use in your classroom. This could be for parents or students. It can be Academic or it could be operational. How you use the form and what you create is totally up to you. Watch the tutorial above on how to create forms and access the content above